Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Abstract This paper aims at studying power distribution within the network of political elites' relationships in post-revolution Iran. Theoretically the study may be classified under the subject of political power distribution. Empirically, by implementing the  network  analysis methodology , the construction of the network of relationships and the nature of power distribution among political elites have been investigated. The construction of the power network focuses on the power distribution among members of the 7th to10th administrations of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Empirical evidence indicates that the structure of the political elites' network in the all three administrations exhibits high coherence and density. Data suggests that   though  work , educational, and party affiliations have played a significant role in the political mobilization of elites; but revolutionary struggles and war experiences played a pivotal role in shaping the network of political elites' relationships.
The trend of network construction demonstrates a greater concentration within the eighth and tenth administrations, particularly in party-related relationships. Despite the high homogeneity and similarity within the network of political elites' relationships in the studied governments, a comparison of the network structure between the seventh to eighth and ninth to tenth administrations distinguishes two homogeneous groups. Members of the seventh and eighth administrations form one group, while the ninth and tenth administrations constitute the other one , indicating a bipolar space within Iran's political sphere.

Abstract Patients' trust in physicians and the treatment system has been a major issue in medical sociological research for the past two decades. With the rapid expansion of the demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services worldwide, many research have been conducted on this issue and examined the grounds and reasons for trust in non-conventional medicine. In Iran, a similar trend is experienced towards different types of complementary and alternative medicine, which is worthy of sociological research. In this regard, the present study used the narrative method and conducted twenty-nine interviews with patients who had experience in treatment with CAM to spot what types of trust in CAM can be identified. For this purpose, using Giddens's views, the challenge of trusting modern medicine as an expert system and rebuilding trust in an alternative health care system has been examined. "Institutional", "therapist-based trust", "epistemological trust" and "trust based on the lived experience of others" are distinguished from each other. The construction of alternative medicine as "harmless medicine" and "easy medicine" has also been considered as grounds for trusting in non-modern medicine.
 
 

Abstract Social network analysis provides a set of theories, concepts, methods, techniques, and instruments for the study of social structure. This paper presents social network analysis as a research method focusing on whole network approach. A review of social network theory is briefly presented and network analysis as a research method is discussed by describing network data, data collection methods, measures and indicators and their analysis and interpretations. A study of online Free/Open Source Software Communities is presented as an example of the use of the methodology. In this sample, the method of collecting online network data is also explored. Overall, the paper shows how to use social network analysis for the study of social structure.

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